A source close the situation confirmed Ohio State star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells will visit both the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers prior to the April 25-26 draft. Wells is a considered a sure first-round pick.

San Diego is clearly going to consider running backs. The Chargers are planning a private meeting with Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, the other top running back prospect. The interest in Wells and Moreno is despite the fact that the Chargers are tying up nearly $13 million in salary this year to running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. Plus, San Diego has pressing defensive needs.

Broncos running backs coach Bobby Turner held a private workout with Wells a couple of weeks ago so the team is clearly interested in him. Wells would be entering a crowded backfield if drafted by Denver.

Denver signed three veteran running backs this offseason. Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and LaMont Jordan were all brought in. The Broncos also have youngsters Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis.

Also, Denver has dire defensive needs and it would be a shock if it drafted a running back.

Often, pre-draft visits are used as decoys by teams. Teams will visit with players from positions they have no intentions of drafting in the early rounds in an attempt to fool other teams. Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan routinely used the decoy scheme. Perhaps this is what new Denver coach Josh McDaniels is doing with Wells.

AFC West news and notes

The word out of San Diego is that the Chargers are still hopeful to get a long-term contract extension finalized with quarterback Philip Rivers before the start of the 2009 season.

Jay Cutler has been compared to Jeff George in the past. And apparently, George isn't too thrilled about the comparison... :lol:

1) Malauga, Oher, Jackson, possibly Cushing was off the board - our top picks
2) Also off the board would have to be: Macklin, Sanchez, potentially Freeman, Jenkins, and maybe Davis too (these are people other teams would want to trade up to our spot for).

If we are stuck with NO other picks except for big reaches at 16 (like a Brace) then Wells/Moreno could be the pick.

I saw a report about that. The reporters were questioning why we would use our #1 draft pick on a RB when we just restructured LT's contract and we'll still have Sproles.
Another thing they didn't mention... Hester!!! We gave up a second round draft pick just to have him ride the bench?!! I hope not. I want and expect to see him out there and used like MT was here during the Marty era.

BTW... we're suppose to become more of a passing team and we sure as Hell don't need help on our running game!!
Though we could use a good FB since we ditched possibly the best one ever.